Options and Opportunities

This AAP is still at an early stage. The options proposed are high level, strategic options and scenarios to develop an improved environment, maximise density of space and economic opportunities around Stevenage Railway Station, in order to enable development.

The AAP will not necessarily guarantee development in this area of Stevenage. However, the AAP will set planning policies and set a framework for generating ideas and suggestions that could support positive design and a wealth of opportunities for the public in an area in very close proximity to a town centre undergoing significant regeneration and growth. 

Any proposals that do come forward in the Station Gateway area will be considered by the Planning & Development Committee in accordance with Local Plan Policy TC4, the AAP and any relevant policies under review, at the appropriate time.

So, these options are up for discussion and could be potentially merged to create a highly functional space. We want your views on what works and what doesn't.

Please give your views below and allow yourself to be visionary!

A consultation on the first AAP (Issues and Options) was held between the 12 July and 5 September 2021. It included four options for Lytton Way and two cycle path options. 

Options 0, 1, 2 or 3 for the central section of Lytton Way were:

• Option 0 – “do nothing”
• Option 1 – Reduce to single carriageway (all traffic)
• Option 2 – Reduce to single carriageway (bus and taxi only)
• Option 3 – Pedestrianized Plaza (no carriageway)

The public consultation exercise returned a wide range of responses from members of the public, interest groups and stakeholders.

There was a lower level of support for a “do nothing” approach as shown by Option 0. Transport and accessibility attracted a great deal of interest, for which officers have considered closely for this Preferred Options AAP.

Option 2 emerged as a Preferred Option. However, Option 3 was also very popular across many consultation respondents and stakeholders. 

While Option 1 is less supportive of active travel aspirations, it was also popular among respondents.

This demonstrated a clear overall desire for some form of positive change involving Lytton Way.

It is important to recognise that the options for Lytton Way form just a part of the overall aims and objectives of the Station Gateway area, as presented throughout this document. While Option 2 has emerged as the Preferred Option, the final solution for this AAP will be flexible in land use terms to move from Option 2 to Option 3 or other solutions, in accordance with sustainable travel aspirations and the overall opportunity the area presents, to bring about the best possible sense of arrival and gateway to the regenerated town centre. This will be in accordance with the objectives and key design principles of this Area Action Plan and Local Plan Policy TC4: Station Gateway.

The questions below are for the preferred options 2 and 3, and we welcome your views on these.

The Issues and Options AAP proposed two potential options for improving cycle access within the station area, building on its strengths while addressing weaknesses. At this stage of the Area Action Plan, Stevenage Borough Council is determined in seeking the very best solutions for sustainable travel. The importance of the cycle link is paramount in any scenario presented. 

There was a clear preference for “Potential Layout 1” relating to the cycle path options. Potential Layout 2 proposed to remove the existing cycle path and was not thought as feasible in achieving positive modal shift in accordance with active travel ambitions. Potential Layout 1 retains this cycle path and offers the opportunity to connect the AAP area to the Town Centre (with any Lytton Way Option(s) taken forward) and a new north–south route. Potential Layout 1 also offers the opportunity to enhance the existing National Cycle Route and create additional cultural features, for example, to celebrate the town and relate to the new identity being created by regeneration of the Town Centre and a sense of arrival into Stevenage, in accordance with other regeneration measures.

Preferred Option 2 for Lytton Way seeks to reduce the central area of Lytton Way between Swingate and Danesgate to a single carriageway and restricts movement to buses and taxis only.  

Preferred Option 3 for Lytton Way seeks to remove regular vehicle movement from the front of the station and Lytton Way ceases to be a through-route. 

The Cycle Path Preferred Layout seeks to retain the existing bicycle path and creates a new segregated path within the revised Lytton Way street profile.